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Pecan Coconut Cherry Granola and A Deliciously Organic Giveaway

January 21, 2011

*** Per the instructions in this post, the giveaway ended on Sunday night, 01/23/2011.***It's not often that I cook from a cookbook from beginning to end. It's not often that I do it twice. Three times. And it's not often that a cookbook becomes like the postcard of a very dear friend. Something you read over and over for fun, to learn, because it touched you somehow. That's how I feel about Carrie's book, Deliciously Organic. That's how I feel about Carrie.

A year ago, I had no idea who Carrie Vitt was. I had no idea I would be privileged to bring her recipes, her family and her words to photographs. I had no idea, just a faint and distant skip in my heart, that we would become friends. When work allows you to connect beyond the image, to understand someone's journey and decisions, you can't be anything but grateful.

I know, I know. I am biased. Of course I am! Not only was I given a tremendous "first" cookbook to shoot, her first to write, but all the hard work and the hours spent dissecting recipes and looking over hundreds of images really paid off. Huge thanks to IFP, her publisher, for putting the highest quality demands on both of us. And to the amazing crew of people working on it.

We ate well for the two weeks I worked on her book. We ate very well. Carrie came during the shoot and her recipes took on an even greater dimension. We talked about her reasons for going organic and non processed. We discussed and commented. We established a dialogue and an area of mutual quiet respect. Through food. As it should be.

If you are looking for organic, unprocessed, wholesome ingredients, Carrie's recipes are simply put just pure gourmandise whether you are making Sour Cream and Lemon Pancakes with Blueberry Puree, Grandma's Crawfish Etouffee, Roasted Red Onion and Pear Salad, or the Pecan Coconut And Cherry Granola and the Tomato Basil Quiche in the pictures here. (click on continue for recipes at the bottom to get the granola recipe.)

If you are puzzled with the what/why/where of going organic, Carrie's story and subsequent journey and discoveries will provide some pointers and ways to explore. Carrie's tone is never preachy or condescending. It can't be. You realize that when you meet her in real life, trust me. So you listen or read. And you learn. And you share.

Of course I want her to do well! I loved photographing this book! I can't wait to start on her second! I loved the work but first and foremost it's not everyday that you first cookbook shoot turns out to be one you handle from ingredient shopping to post processing all by yourself and still leave you elated and rubbing your belly for more good food.

Every dish in this book was photographed, then eaten. That chicken on the back cover? Man...it came out hot from the oven, we set it down on my table, photos were taken and we ate it but a big salad simply dressed of lemon juice and olive oil. I have dreams about that chicken. Yep, I planned every work day around a set menu: one breakfast, one entree, two sides, one dessert. Oh yes...

Again. We ate well. Very well.

And we still do. And now you can too! In honor of Carrie's book release, I have one copy to giveaway to a lucky reader among you! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and a winner will be picked at random on Sunday night 01/23/2011, midnight eastern time. One entry per person, no anonymous please. I will ship anywhere in the world.

Carrie....I am so flipping proud of you! Virtual flowers and Champagne to celebrate!

Notes: I know...where's the quiche recipe, right? In the book....we can't give you all that's inside the book but I urge you to try it as you as you can. That recipe alone will make for better Sunday mornings...trust me!

Preheat your oven to 350º and adjust the top rack to the middle of the oven. Whisk sugar and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until almost smooth. Pour the oats, coconut, pecans into a large bowl and then pour the syrup over them. Stir gently until the syrup coats everything. Spread mixture onto a large baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for twenty minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Break into pieces and add the dried cherries. Add dried fruit after you break up the granola into loose bits and large pieces. Sore in an airtight container.

Being a student means I have to cook with such a tight budget. Therefore, it is a little bit impossible for me to buy organic ingredients which are more expensive than the 'normal' ingredients. I wish in the future, I can go organic too. :D Beautiful pictures as usual :)

Oh this book looks just wonderful. I cant say I've done much organic cooking but this makes me want to try it! Glad you had a lovely time cooking the recipes. I think I will be making that granola! Thanks for the posts and the giveaway :)

After your post I feel like I know Carrie! It is rare - at least in my world - to find a cookbook where the photos match the recipes in beauty and taste, but this one sounds like it will do just that. And more. I would love to win a copy of the book. Fingers crossed!

This cook book seems amazing! and i really love your photos!I don't know if the book is available in France, so I take my chance :)Thank for your wonderfull and inspiring blog!cuisine_addict [at] yahoo.fr

I love the notion of cooking with organic and non-processed foods, and I wish that there was more of those items available to all at good prices! That quiche looks amazing and I am real curious about the chicken . .

I love your comment that begins with, "When work allows you to connect beyond the image". Many of my lifelong friendships that began at work transcended beyond just "co-worker" status also! I am eager to incorporate more unprocessed ingredients into my family's already healthy diet. Thank you for your beautiful blog and this opportunity. Judy

The roasted red onion and pear salad sounds especially delicious. And I'm curious about the sour cream pancakes because I just made a chocolate sour cream cake this week that had sour cream in the cake and the frosting. The frosting was absolutely delicious, but the cake turned out dry-ish. All the best to Carrie! And I love the photos, too, of course!

I have followed Carrie's blog for the last couple of years, as I have followed yours. I love that she has a cookbook and I LOVE that you took the pictures! It's like two virtual friends coming together.

I am dying to make that granola now that I've seen the pictures of it. Mmmmmmmmm!

I have been eating a mostly organic, but definitely an unprocessed diet for several years now. I can't tell you how good I feel and honestly, when I am polite and have to eat processed foods that someone else has prepared, I can tell the difference. What a great idea for this lovely cookbook, which I'd love to have for free... but irregardless, intend to get if not. Thanks for sharing this on your post and the great recipe for granola (I haven't bought granola in years, this recipe looks great, I can't wait to try it!)

Hello Helene, this is my first time commenting on your site, but I've been subscribing for awhile. I had the good fortune to meet Carrie recently at Food Blog Camp 2011 in Mexico. She was such a delight! She told us all about the book and how much she loved shooting it with you. The photos are beautiful, of course! I must get the book to try that tomato tart. I am so happy for Carrie and wish her huge success with her book. Thanks for the post.

You're such an inpiration Helen, when things seem to be taking for ever to take off with my school and I get frustrated with my photos I just pop over to your site and feel better and keep persevering. Thanks.

I love the style of your photos. The blog is beautiful, so clean and crisp. Carrie's book sounds amazing and the food looks delicious and tempting. Thank you for sharing. I will keep an eye out for the book. Thanks again for the inspiration.

The recipes mentioned have me drooling and the photographs only heighten my desire for this cookbook. Cross my fingers and I hope I get picked! Otherwise I am on my way to the bookstore. Until then I will have to satisfy myself with some of that deliciously sounding granola. But where can one purchase dehydrated pecans? At my local health food store or Co-op? Are they just toasted pecans?